9 bands from the North of England that changed the music world

There is a classic old saying in England – ‘it’s grim up north’. Whilst true it does rain a bit up there and it can look a bit grim at times, there is something about the north which breeds a spark of unique creativity. Manchester alone was home to the industrial revolution, the first electronic digital computer, the first successful splitting of the atom and – brilliant music and legendary bands. Nothing grim about that, missus.

I grew up listening to incredible indie music stations and visiting amazing vinyl-exchange stores in Manchester that presented a totally different world to me. My brother was especially instrumental in introducing me to The Cure, The Smiths and Sisters of Mercy.

So here are just 9 reasons why the music from Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and surrounding northern England areas changed the face of music around the globe. This list does reflect my personal taste, but I hope you can appreciate it. Or at least pretend to. And yes, I did add The Beatles.

Blimey! is your daily dose of British news and features for anglophiles everywhere! This article was carefully written by Tim Holt, a British blogger, photographer and actor based back in the UK after many years of living in America. Forever torn between two magnificent slices of sod.